Bernie Sanders, inching closer to a second bid for the White House, has recorded a campaign video in which he says he is running for president in 2020, according to two people familiar with the spot.

It’s the latest sign the independent senator, the runner-up in the 2016 contest for the Democratic nomination, is nearing a presidential announcement.

Another hint that Sanders is getting closer to a launch: The Sanders team has been interviewing people for top staff positions, POLITICO reported this week. Chuck Rocha, a political consultant who advised Sanders’ 2016 campaign, is expected to join him again if a second bid materializes.

It is unclear when, or whether, the Sanders video would be released. It’s possible Sanders could launch a 2020 campaign with an exploratory committee and declare his candidacy later, a route other presidential candidates, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have taken.

Sarah Ford, a spokeswoman for Sanders, did not respond to a request for comment about the video...

Two key fundraising folks from his 2016 "small-dollar fundraising program," Tim Tagaris and Robin Curran, have already acknowledged that they will "join any second presidential campaign."

Bernie's media folks are in discussions with "...Means of Production, the filmmaking company that created Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s viral campaign video during the midterm elections, about a major 2020 role." (And, yes, living in the NYC metro are, I can sincerely state that AOC's TV work was outstanding. This is a critical, early score for Team Sanders.)

Last but not least, David Duhalde, Our Revolution's political director, sent out an email asking...

Vermont democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders’ camp is in talks with Brooklyn College about giving a major outdoor speech at the campus, fueling speculation that the rally there would be part of a roll-out for a second presidential run.
[...]

The Sanders campaign had no immediate comment but one of his backers said, “You’re onto something.”

Since Bernie's originally from Brooklyn, this feels legit.

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15 users have voted.

—

"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep." ~Rumi

@Centaurea
I think this would be quite an excellent venue! (Stating the obvious: The national media's there in NYC. It makes sense.) I hope this is where he formally announces his candidacy. And, yeah, I think it's fair to say he'll probably blowout Democratic presidential primary announcement attendance records for it, as well. The biggest mistake he could make would be to not make it a full-blown announcement, IMHO. Centaurea, thanks for the info!

Vermont democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders’ camp is in talks with Brooklyn College about giving a major outdoor speech at the campus, fueling speculation that the rally there would be part of a roll-out for a second presidential run.
[...]

The Sanders campaign had no immediate comment but one of his backers said, “You’re onto something.”

@dfarrah
for doing the same thing as his predecessors. He was supposed to be anti-establishment, supposed to be anti-war.
He had a mandate of sorts.
Now, he is pushing for grand theft oil in Venezuela.
Being no worse than the predecessors is not a compliment I will extend to Trump.

#3 He truly hasn't done much that other presidents haven't done, including Obama, Clinton, and GWB.

But neither am I going to go along with the idea that he is qualitatively different from all those who have gone before. He's the natural outcome of the trajectory we've been on since Reagan; each president since then has been worse than the last, even Clinton if you take into count financial deregulation and NAFTA.

#3.1 for doing the same thing as his predecessors. He was supposed to be anti-establishment, supposed to be anti-war.
He had a mandate of sorts.
Now, he is pushing for grand theft oil in Venezuela.
Being no worse than the predecessors is not a compliment I will extend to Trump.

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1 user has voted.

—

The issue is patriotism. You've got to get back to your planet and stop the Commies. All it takes is a few good men.
--Q

...asking them to get behind and support Tulsi, the way she sacrificed to campaign for him in 2016. Just as I wrote to Jessie Jackson in 2016 and asked him to support Bernie like Bernie supported him. Evidently both letters had no effect.

I like Tulsi's clear anti-interventionist approach much better than Bernie's lukewarm attitude of US aggression. However, in either case the DNC game plan seems obvious to me - no one wins on the first ballot so the superdelegates anoint Kamala (Obomber 2.0).

In a dream world, I would love to see a People's Party Tulsi/Bernie ticket on the ballot in all 50 states. If Bernie announced his run as a People's party candidate, he would have my vote....boy would that rock their boat!

Thanks for the news Bob.

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25 users have voted.

—

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

...does voting even matter. Tim Canova has some thoughts on the matter worth considering. In Alabama's 2016 democratic primary the exit polls were 18 points off from the outcome (cheating Bernie). Not a word spoken about it though.
(20 min)

...asking them to get behind and support Tulsi, the way she sacrificed to campaign for him in 2016. Just as I wrote to Jessie Jackson in 2016 and asked him to support Bernie like Bernie supported him. Evidently both letters had no effect.

I like Tulsi's clear anti-interventionist approach much better than Bernie's lukewarm attitude of US aggression. However, in either case the DNC game plan seems obvious to me - no one wins on the first ballot so the superdelegates anoint Kamala (Obomber 2.0).

In a dream world, I would love to see a People's Party Tulsi/Bernie ticket on the ballot in all 50 states. If Bernie announced his run as a People's party candidate, he would have my vote....boy would that rock their boat!

Thanks for the news Bob.

up

23 users have voted.

—

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

@Lookout
Tim mentioned that Bernie changed after the convention. Like "something happened to him". If Bernie was threatened or blackmailed and caved then, what is to keep him from doing it again?
"I don't know Tim Canova" is a lie.
I won't support a liar.
It will be easy to talk Green New Deal and Medicare For All when there are not enough votes to get the bills passed.
I already feel manipulated.
I also have no trust in voting machines.

...does voting even matter. Tim Canova has some thoughts on the matter worth considering. In Alabama's 2016 democratic primary the exit polls were 18 points off from the outcome (cheating Bernie). Not a word spoken about it though.
(20 min)

Tim provides some real food for thought....really calling into question the entire political theater.

#5.1 Tim mentioned that Bernie changed after the convention. Like "something happened to him". If Bernie was threatened or blackmailed and caved then, what is to keep him from doing it again?
"I don't know Tim Canova" is a lie.
I won't support a liar.
It will be easy to talk Green New Deal and Medicare For All when there are not enough votes to get the bills passed.
I already feel manipulated.
I also have no trust in voting machines.

up

10 users have voted.

—

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

@Lookout
our elections are fraudulent.
And he is demanding change, speaking out about it.
Bernie is also living proof and he will not even answer a question about it. He runs away from the subject, that very thing that prevents us from having the democracy we damn well deserve.

This isn't just happening in Florida. 90% of the voting machines nationally have these same wireless modems. Yet no one on the "progressive" left is talking about it. Heck, only a few of us here are talking about it.

Tim Canova made a great point about why he's fighting for election integrity. He's a law professor, he'll be fine if he doesn't win a seat in congress. This ISN'T about HIM. It's about the people in Broward County who were cheated.

The same is true for everyone who participated, donated, and voted for Bernie in 2016. We were cheated. Not only was Bernie silent about the fraud committed against the voters, he publicly repeated the propaganda about Russia hacking the 2016 election.

Bernie's unwillingness to speak frankly about the fraud committed against the voters remains, for me, the big elephant in the room. Everything going forward reflects back on that silence. If we cannot trust the voting machines to count our votes and we cannot trust progressives to speak out about the integrity of our elections, then how do we expect to change anything else if we are voting in fraudulent elections?

#5.1.1.1 our elections are fraudulent.
And he is demanding change, speaking out about it.
Bernie is also living proof and he will not even answer a question about it. He runs away from the subject, that very thing that prevents us from having the democracy we damn well deserve.

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22 users have voted.

—

If we surrendered to earth's intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees
~ Rainer Maria Rilke

What we need is a coordinated write-in vote for NONE OF THE ABOVE. Boycott does nothing. They don't want us to vote, which is why they keep making it harder. When 200 million Americans write in NONE OF THE ABOVE, maybe then something will change.

@dkmich
intentionally could easily be misconstrued as being lazy. None of the above is good, also under voting would send a message.
The problem is our votes are likely being switched. The big problem is voting machines.

What we need is a coordinated write-in vote for NONE OF THE ABOVE. Boycott does nothing. They don't want us to vote, which is why they keep making it harder. When 200 million Americans write in NONE OF THE ABOVE, maybe then something will change.

#5.1.1.1.2 intentionally could easily be misconstrued as being lazy. None of the above is good, also under voting would send a message.
The problem is our votes are likely being switched. The big problem is voting machines.

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12 users have voted.

—

If we surrendered to earth's intelligence we could rise up rooted, like trees
~ Rainer Maria Rilke

(which already exists out there, and is much larger than the other two) is the only political action that I see that can bring sweeping change.

Somehow, this third party must be gathered and harnessed. Acting collectively, they can own a seat at the table. It would fatal to this nation not to make room. Some members of the Duolopy would also be caught up in a People's Party.

We know this can be done, because we saw it done with our own eyes in 2015—2016. We saw and felt the incredible POWER of this thing in action. This force-for-change is not driven by the intellect. It is not driven by identity or politics. The attraction and empowerment that people feel is driven by evolution.

Bernie isn't perfect, but he is the one who is currently channeling Evolution. Actually, Evolution is using Bernie to make itself heard. On the path ahead, Bernie will continue to grow and evolve, himself, gaining the enlightenment he needs.

Change is fully upon us. Of this, I am certain. If not Bernie, Evolution will pop through and occupy someone else's persona, who can bring us together to reshape the future. It's unmistakable when it happens, you can't miss it. (You've seen this happen before, too.) I'm supporting the candidate who is hosting the evolutionary force that is working through them.

What we need is a coordinated write-in vote for NONE OF THE ABOVE. Boycott does nothing. They don't want us to vote, which is why they keep making it harder. When 200 million Americans write in NONE OF THE ABOVE, maybe then something will change.

#5.1 Tim mentioned that Bernie changed after the convention. Like "something happened to him". If Bernie was threatened or blackmailed and caved then, what is to keep him from doing it again?
"I don't know Tim Canova" is a lie.
I won't support a liar.
It will be easy to talk Green New Deal and Medicare For All when there are not enough votes to get the bills passed.
I already feel manipulated.
I also have no trust in voting machines.

up

1 user has voted.

—

The issue is patriotism. You've got to get back to your planet and stop the Commies. All it takes is a few good men.
--Q

...does voting even matter. Tim Canova has some thoughts on the matter worth considering. In Alabama's 2016 democratic primary the exit polls were 18 points off from the outcome (cheating Bernie). Not a word spoken about it though.
(20 min)

up

11 users have voted.

—

"The herd management intent is simply to get you into one of the corrals. Nobody is right, if everybody is wrong.
I am a free range DFH."
NCTim

I heard Tim mention the boycott in Venezuela in a way that made it clear to me he did not think it was a good idea. Dore stepped on him as he is want to do. I like Dore. Appreciate all he does. Agree with 99% of it, but he needs to learn better control of his mouth. Push his button and he is off and running.

#5.1
WOW! Tim Canova is advocating boycotting elections because we cannot trust them and we are buying into playing and legitimizing their game! Where have I heard that before??? Oh, Big Al!

As a person who won't vote for the duopoly anymore, I am beginning to see the light in not voting at all.

I heard Tim mention the boycott in Venezuela in a way that made it clear to me he did not think it was a good idea. Dore stepped on him as he is want to do. I like Dore. Appreciate all he does. Agree with 99% of it, but he needs to learn better control of his mouth. Push his button and he is off and running.

@Lookout
to found the people's party and run on that one. It's about time to leave the Democratic Party behind. Way too many shady characters in there. Whatever it was that made Sanders back down at the DNC 2016 must have been so evil that - to run again - for him it would be necessary to keep a lid on the whole DNC 2016 affair. Had he revealed it and answered the questions, he might not have been able to try to run again. May be way inside he just want to show that 'one still can win the honest way' in the US and a win this time around would may be a proof of that. It's just that almost nobody believes that anymore.

As a foreigner with other kind of glasses I always thought how awful it is to really going from door to door, knocking and trying to convince the person opening the door to vote for your candidate. Canvassing. I have a lot of respect for all the people who engage and do that for their chosen candidate, but I have no respect for the system to make such activism necessary. With all those modern technologies that are available, it is still necessary to use the most antiquated, old-fashioned, ineffective, work-intense method. Why?

Not that it can be fun to canvass. I did a little bit for Bernie last time, but inside myself I always asked myself, why this is really necessary, why there can't be a better system.

Ok, I hope they both run, wish them luck and may be I am back in the States by then and do some canvassing and fundraising for both of them.

...asking them to get behind and support Tulsi, the way she sacrificed to campaign for him in 2016. Just as I wrote to Jessie Jackson in 2016 and asked him to support Bernie like Bernie supported him. Evidently both letters had no effect.

I like Tulsi's clear anti-interventionist approach much better than Bernie's lukewarm attitude of US aggression. However, in either case the DNC game plan seems obvious to me - no one wins on the first ballot so the superdelegates anoint Kamala (Obomber 2.0).

In a dream world, I would love to see a People's Party Tulsi/Bernie ticket on the ballot in all 50 states. If Bernie announced his run as a People's party candidate, he would have my vote....boy would that rock their boat!

#5
to found the people's party and run on that one. It's about time to leave the Democratic Party behind. Way too many shady characters in there. Whatever it was that made Sanders back down at the DNC 2016 must have been so evil that - to run again - for him it would be necessary to keep a lid on the whole DNC 2016 affair. Had he revealed it and answered the questions, he might not have been able to try to run again. May be way inside he just want to show that 'one still can win the honest way' in the US and a win this time around would may be a proof of that. It's just that almost nobody believes that anymore.

As a foreigner with other kind of glasses I always thought how awful it is to really going from door to door, knocking and trying to convince the person opening the door to vote for your candidate. Canvassing. I have a lot of respect for all the people who engage and do that for their chosen candidate, but I have no respect for the system to make such activism necessary. With all those modern technologies that are available, it is still necessary to use the most antiquated, old-fashioned, ineffective, work-intense method. Why?

Not that it can be fun to canvass. I did a little bit for Bernie last time, but inside myself I always asked myself, why this is really necessary, why there can't be a better system.

Ok, I hope they both run, wish them luck and may be I am back in the States by then and do some canvassing and fundraising for both of them.

@mimi
I always felt it would be easier to take over the dem party (Arrrh, walk the plank neo lib, hoist the Jolly Roger!), but I don't see it anymore. we do need a peoples party. We need the platform first. This is what we want, this is what we demand, this is what we need. Not just some people, special interest groups to be pandered to. All people, The 99% party.

Another thing we need to do is stop pouring our hopes into some personality that holds our hand, looks deeply into our eye and says "trust me", I have the answers. I am so tired of the personality parade put on by the candidates, their campaign people, the lame excuse that's the media, the focus groups, the trivialization of democracy.

I don't know how this would be done, maybe by primary. Whatever way, the candidates are there to support the platform, to get a job done. Not another Obama, Clinton or Pelosi and their patronizing superiority coming from on high. No more of their compromising away our lives for the "greater good".

#5
to found the people's party and run on that one. It's about time to leave the Democratic Party behind. Way too many shady characters in there. Whatever it was that made Sanders back down at the DNC 2016 must have been so evil that - to run again - for him it would be necessary to keep a lid on the whole DNC 2016 affair. Had he revealed it and answered the questions, he might not have been able to try to run again. May be way inside he just want to show that 'one still can win the honest way' in the US and a win this time around would may be a proof of that. It's just that almost nobody believes that anymore.

As a foreigner with other kind of glasses I always thought how awful it is to really going from door to door, knocking and trying to convince the person opening the door to vote for your candidate. Canvassing. I have a lot of respect for all the people who engage and do that for their chosen candidate, but I have no respect for the system to make such activism necessary. With all those modern technologies that are available, it is still necessary to use the most antiquated, old-fashioned, ineffective, work-intense method. Why?

Not that it can be fun to canvass. I did a little bit for Bernie last time, but inside myself I always asked myself, why this is really necessary, why there can't be a better system.

Ok, I hope they both run, wish them luck and may be I am back in the States by then and do some canvassing and fundraising for both of them.

For what? He needs to quit seeming coy. Get in or get out. It isn't as if he hasn't been exploring this for the last 7 years. "run Bernie run" is for what purpose? Does he need to be coaxed? All I asked of him last time is that he not get in if he wasn't in it to win it. Hillary's emails do matter, and blue no matter who is bs. He needs to be a lot more honest and direct this time around if he is to win back the people he disappointed/alienated with the way he conducted his 2016 run. He refuses to this day to address the primary theft that took place. Instead of bolting because of it and running third party, he endorsed Hillary. I don't presume to know if what he did was right or wrong, but I do know it hurt him. Same is true for Warren for refusing to run with and/or endorse Bernie. People are fed up, and it doesn't take much to turn a supporter into a skeptic.

I can tell you this much. I'll vote in the dailykos strawpoll today and moving forward because it is free. I might give ONE $27 to Bernie when he announces. No more. He will have to redeem himself for me too. If he is still standing when the time comes, I will vote for him. But I think he owes his supporters an explanation. I am not holding my breath.

I have seen this story racing around the media for several days and they are all based on the Politico story with "two people familiar with the spot" anonymous sources.

Politico is not a Bernie-friendly site. Hyping an imminent announcement gets Sanders supporters excited,. This will lead to disappointment when he fails to meet false expectations.

I expect him to run and he will announce when he feels best. Personally, I expect this to be in a live appearance. We can stamp our feet and insist that he does X, or Y right now, but I'll trust his judgement on the timing of any announcement.

@OzoneTom
I agree with your sentiments, to some extent. Caution re: an event that's yet to happen--at least of the type that this post is about--is always very prudent. However, when you take away all of the "internal" commentary, from folks that are already aligned with Sanders from their 2016 effort, there's still the AOC/"Means of Production" video team in talks with the Sanders camp. But, obviously, there's nothing definitive here...until there is.

I have seen this story racing around the media for several days and they are all based on the Politico story with "two people familiar with the spot" anonymous sources.

Politico is not a Bernie-friendly site. Hyping an imminent announcement gets Sanders supporters excited,. This will lead to disappointment when he fails to meet false expectations.

I expect him to run and he will announce when he feels best. Personally, I expect this to be in a live appearance. We can stamp our feet and insist that he does X, or Y right now, but I'll trust his judgement on the timing of any announcement.

@bobswern
I am just concerned about people getting led about by their emotions and desires.

#11 I agree with your sentiments, to some extent. Caution re: an event that's yet to happen--at least of the type that this post is about--is always very prudent. However, when you take away all of the "internal" commentary, from folks that are already aligned with Sanders from their 2016 effort, there's still the AOC/"Means of Production" video team in talks with the Sanders camp. But, obviously, there's nothing definitive here...until there is.

He'd be my number one choice of those running, but it seems like he's given more than enough. I feel like it would be more than I could handle and I'm a lot younger, he should be able to not work himself to death on some campaign. It says something to the sorry state of candidates that he's the only choice I see, both the charisma to campaign and the policies that align with what I like to hear.

Sanders in 16 changed things, many seemingly didn't get the message. It will be interesting to see what happens. I suspect he'll jump to the top of polling.

The political world barely raised its eyebrows when news broke that Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, had recorded a video announcing his 2020 presidential campaign. Normally, last time’s runner-up nominee of a major political party – someone who won 12 million votes and raised more than $230 million dollars – preparing to mount another White House bid would be a momentous event.

To be fair, Sanders’ actual launch will get more fanfare. But why the collective yawn around news of his imminent candidacy? For one thing, presidential campaign announcements in 2019 are a dime a dozen. There are already nine declared Democratic candidates with many others waiting in the wings.

For another, since dropping out in July 2016, Sanders never really stopped running. The cantankerous septuagenarian has remained a ubiquitous presence on cable television and the campaign hustings. Democratic candidates covet his endorsement, and the national press corps hangs on his every utterance.

Although his candidacy seems a foregone conclusion, it’s also immaterial in many ways. If he decides that the rigors of another national campaign are not for him at 77-years-old, his indelible imprint on national politics is not going away.

Sanders has re-set the foundation of the Democratic Party – ironic given his steadfast refusal to identify as a Democrat. Since his election as mayor of Burlington in 1981, Sanders has worn the “socialist” badge while caucusing with the Democrats.

Sanders might not be interested in joining, but his policy prescriptions have found a welcome home with Democratic party faithful...

He'd be my number one choice of those running, but it seems like he's given more than enough. I feel like it would be more than I could handle and I'm a lot younger, he should be able to not work himself to death on some campaign. It says something to the sorry state of candidates that he's the only choice I see, both the charisma to campaign and the policies that align with what I like to hear.

Sanders in 16 changed things, many seemingly didn't get the message. It will be interesting to see what happens. I suspect he'll jump to the top of polling.

Here in Columbus OH, Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman (now living in LA and on KPFA with a show) have been active on election integrity since the election in OH was stolen in 2004. They might have been active earlier as Bob is certified for international election oversight. Bob also was an attorney for Jill Stein, not for the national Green party in 2016.

Bob and Harvey have written 6 books on the topic.

Bob is along time democratic socialist and was, and maybe still is head of OH Green Party.

Decades ago there were only a couple hundred democratic socialists who came out to national meetings. Bob knows Bernie from those meetings. Kieth Ellison was a student of his and Bob recommended that Keith check out Democratic Socialism which he did and as we know has been active as a politician.

This is a long note but the point is that Bob did talk with Bernie during the 2016 primary and Bernie does know about the election integrity issues. It seems that with all the issues, he didn't want to take on yet another one so has not made it a major item in his platform. He understands the issue.

Election integrity is a national scandal and shows that democracy is a fraud. The political factions have played games with it over the years. Bob has worked closely with Greg Palast who comes to Columbus fairly often, and Bob was on a panel years ago for the House with Ari Berman on it.

I have been pissed since 2004 that the democratic party did not take up this issue and run with it. Now with the new house there is a chance to finally do the right thing in this area.

Bernie has already made an enormous impact on US politics but he isn't perfect and I do wish he would have taken up the election integrity issue sooner. Bernie has been very strong on money in politics which has become an issue as it is clear that oligarchs run most of politics.

Here is a review of their short book which is an overview of the election integrity issue. It was updated after the 2016 election.

This is a long note but the point is that Bob did talk with Bernie during the 2016 primary and Bernie does know about the election integrity issues. It seems that with all the issues, he didn't want to take on yet another one so has not made it a major item in his platform. He understands the issue.

Many of us have GOOD reason to distrust the integrity of the electoral system. If voting integrity is not dealt with upfront and immediately, it NEGATES everything we are doing within an electoral system that has been, and presently is, corrupted.

Why, then, would we be compelled to participate in a system that cannot ensure our vote is counted?

It's illogical.

Here in Columbus OH, Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman (now living in LA and on KPFA with a show) have been active on election integrity since the election in OH was stolen in 2004. They might have been active earlier as Bob is certified for international election oversight. Bob also was an attorney for Jill Stein, not for the national Green party in 2016.

Bob and Harvey have written 6 books on the topic.

Bob is along time democratic socialist and was, and maybe still is head of OH Green Party.

Decades ago there were only a couple hundred democratic socialists who came out to national meetings. Bob knows Bernie from those meetings. Kieth Ellison was a student of his and Bob recommended that Keith check out Democratic Socialism which he did and as we know has been active as a politician.

This is a long note but the point is that Bob did talk with Bernie during the 2016 primary and Bernie does know about the election integrity issues. It seems that with all the issues, he didn't want to take on yet another one so has not made it a major item in his platform. He understands the issue.

Election integrity is a national scandal and shows that democracy is a fraud. The political factions have played games with it over the years. Bob has worked closely with Greg Palast who comes to Columbus fairly often, and Bob was on a panel years ago for the House with Ari Berman on it.

I have been pissed since 2004 that the democratic party did not take up this issue and run with it. Now with the new house there is a chance to finally do the right thing in this area.

Bernie has already made an enormous impact on US politics but he isn't perfect and I do wish he would have taken up the election integrity issue sooner. Bernie has been very strong on money in politics which has become an issue as it is clear that oligarchs run most of politics.

Here is a review of their short book which is an overview of the election integrity issue. It was updated after the 2016 election.

This is a long note but the point is that Bob did talk with Bernie during the 2016 primary and Bernie does know about the election integrity issues. It seems that with all the issues, he didn't want to take on yet another one so has not made it a major item in his platform. He understands the issue.

Many of us have GOOD reason to distrust the integrity of the electoral system. If voting integrity is not dealt with upfront and immediately, it NEGATES everything we are doing within an electoral system that has been, and presently is, corrupted.

Why, then, would we be compelled to participate in a system that cannot ensure our vote is counted?

@Anja Geitz
We are living through a coup with new reports almost every day.

There is no guarantee that we will retain even what democracy we had before.

One of the challenges is to restore good institutions which provide trusted information. Since almost all institutions are now corrupt, and the Republication have accelerated attacks on government institutions what values are needed to bring institutions back to good health? What will it take to clean up the Judaical appointments?

Gaia has regulated life on earth for over 3 billion years and now that humans are a geologic force, will we do as well as Gaia?

**
Politically, the challenge is to build a collectives that creatively address the many needs and the collective linked by Bernie's efforts is helping.

I would love it if Bernie made election integrity a major part of his platform, but even if he does not, his thrust is one of the most important political efforts.

This is a long note but the point is that Bob did talk with Bernie during the 2016 primary and Bernie does know about the election integrity issues. It seems that with all the issues, he didn't want to take on yet another one so has not made it a major item in his platform. He understands the issue.

Many of us have GOOD reason to distrust the integrity of the electoral system. If voting integrity is not dealt with upfront and immediately, it NEGATES everything we are doing within an electoral system that has been, and presently is, corrupted.

Why, then, would we be compelled to participate in a system that cannot ensure our vote is counted?